Business

Atlanta -- The first annual Dinner & A Cause Card benefiting the “Children of Conservation” project is now available. The card costs only $50 and offers holders a 20% discount at great Atlanta restaurants while contributing 100% of the profits to the education of children and protection of wildlife in third world countries. Giving Never Tasted So Good!

ATLANTA (AP) -- As many parts of Georgia's law cracking down on illegal immigration take effect, a Latino community group is organizing "a day without immigrants" to protest the measure.

The Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights is calling for a day of non-compliance, asking businesses to close and community members to stay home and not work or shop Friday.

Alan Conner, owner of Dakota Blue restaurant in Grant Park, said he thinks the law is unjust and planned to close for lunch Friday in solidarity.

But some urge caution. Jerry Gonzalez, executive director of the Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, says skipping work without authorization could cost people jobs in a tough economic climate.

Groups are also organizing a "march for justice" on Saturday at the state Capitol to protest the law.

Are you looking to learn the basics of social media and online marketing? The Social Media Learning Series, created by mom blogger Desiree Peeples, is launching a series of one-day workshops teaching social media and how to use it to promote and market your product, service, or business. The classes will cover four distinct areas of social media:

Blogging 101 - will teach students how to set up and launch their own custom WordPress blog.

The Smart User's Guide to Facebook and Twitter - will teach students how to use these sites to build relationships with their customers and clients.

Undertanding YouTube: The Basics - will focus on learning how to use online video to market and promote a business, product, or service.

Learning LinkedIn - will cover setting up a LinkedIn profile and how to navigat

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ATLANTA -- The unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta rose to 9.7 percent in May 2011, according to Georgia labor commissioner Mark Butler.

This is up one-tenth of a percentage point from a revised 9.6 percent in April.

Butler said the rate rose for two reasons. More than 21,000 new job seekers entered the labor force, but only about 15,000 of them found jobs. Also, Atlanta had a net loss of 900 jobs; an increase of 1,100 jobs in manufacturing and construction was offset by a loss of 2,000 service-related jobs.

The lowest area unemployment rate, at 7.2 percent, was recorded in Metro Athens, while the highest was in the Heart of Georgia-Altamaha region in the Dublin area, at 12 percent.

Carroll County's unemployment rate was 11 percent.

May marked the 46th consecutive month Georgia has exceeded the national unemployment rate, which is currently 9.1 percent, up from 9 percent in April.

ScoopMama.com brings you the Insider Deals on Local Family Fun! We offer our subscribers unbeatable family-friendly deals with savings of 40-75% off kid-friendly activities, stores, restaurants, services and more. Please sign up today to get the Inside Scoop (its free to join).